Improvement in signal-lights



J. CY. MGM'ULLIN. Signal-Lights.l

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WITNESSES:

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. MGMULLIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-LIGHTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,591, dated July 28,1874; application tiled May 23, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMEs C. MGMULLIN, ofChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have in vented anew and Improved Signal-Lamp, of which the following is a speci-{ic-ation:

In the accompanyingdrawing, Figure l represents a front elevation of myimproved signal-lamp; and Fig. 2, a horizontal section of the same 011the line c c, Fig. l,

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to furnish a signal-lamp forrailrozul-trains and other purposes, which indicates by the successiveappearance of the light thrown through lenses of different colors orsizes from one burner, the distance of the light to be determined by thegradual appearance and relative position of the lights. My inventionconsists of a signal-lamp which is provided with one or more tubulararms, with retlcctors and lenses of dif-v ferent colors at their ends,spread at suitable distance, and lighted by 011e common burner.

In the drawing', A represents a signal-lamp of a vessel, station, pier,or other suitable structure, or a head-light of a locomotive, which isconstructed in the usual approved manner, and

provided with one or more tubular arms, B, which extend in horizontal orother direction, and are provided at the distance of one, two, or morefeet with a reflector, C, and lens D. The reector C is preferably placedunder an angle of fortytve degrees to the axis of the arms B, so thatthe Whole body of light is thrown forward through the lens as the raysare reflected under the angle of incidence of the light. Lenses ofdifferent colors or sizes may be employed, and thereby the distance ofthe train determined by the successive appearance and position of thelenses.

It has been found by practical tests that in a signal-lamp having redand white eight-inch lenses placed at a distan ce of thirty-four inchesfrom each other, nothing but the red light is shown at a distance of011e and one-fourth miles. At a distance of one mile red is shown with arim or fringe of white at that side where the white lens is situated. Atthree-quarters of a mile red and white are both shown distinctly andseparately; and at a distance of half` a mile a considerable spaceappears between them, which increases the nearer the light isapproached. Any number of lenses can be illuminated from thesame burnerif placed at the ends of the connectingarms, so as to economize oil andincrease the facility of estimating correctly the distance, the specialadvantages and applications of which are of 4great importance forrailroads,vessels, harbors, and other purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and desiretosecure by Letters Patent, is-

A signal-lamp consisting of a central lamp, with one or more tubulararms having reflectors and lenses at suitable ,distance therefrom, to belighted from one burner, substantially in the manner and for the'purposespecified.

JAMES C. MCMULLIN.

Witnesses:

J. W. GoNGEE, SAML. L. WHIPPLE.

